Epic Win: New Miriam Cooper DVD release

I'm a little annoyed no one informed me!  Many moons ago Grapevine promised to re-release "Is Money Everything?", one of only two Miriam Cooper non D.W. Griffith features to still exist.  They had released it on VHS years ago, but it wasn't on DVD or readily available, much like Olive Thomas' "Love's Prisoner".

Miriam Cooper is one of my favorite actresses, and most people are not aware of her. She played Brown Eyes in Intolerance and one of the Southern Clan in "Birth of a Nation" not only does she have a modern look on par with an Edwardian styled Louise Brooks, but she has that natural je ne sais quoi about her as well.  She married Raoul Walsh, and acted in many of his films through the late 1910s.  But then he finally let her retire (long her wish) and by 1921 she was done with it...but then the family needed money.  So she made two final films, one decent: Kindred of the Dust, and one crappy: Is Money Everything?

This woman made 21 features, 5 total exist.  Why? Raoul Walsh did most of his work for FOX...whose vaults exploded in 1917.  That's a shame as things like "The Honor System" and "Evangeline" will probably never be found.  3 are Griffith features, the other two are Kindred and Is Money Everything.

Kindred of the Dust was restored and screened in 2004, slated for one of those fancy $80 rare film sets.  But it never happened.  The Eastman house owns the print and won't share it or let it be released reasonably priced (bless em they do good work, but they want what they put into it!)  Is Money Everything? only exists in private hands, which happen to be Jack Hardy's.  Thankfully he shares a lot nicer and makes lots of rare goodies available via Grapevine Video.

"Is Money Everything?" is a B production made in Michigan (yes, Michigan) starring Miriam Cooper and Norman Kerry.

Since no one informed me of the release, I've just ordered it.  But reports from those who have it say its a 35MM print and tinted in good condition, so whether the plot holds or not you at least are getting a great copy of it.  You can order a copy here.  And while you're at it you totally need a copy of Miriam's delightful autobiography "Dark Lady of the Silents" which you can order here quite reasonably priced.

I haven't done many honor projects in awhile, but getting Miriam's non Griffith features on DVD was one of them.  Since Kindred of the Dust probably will not yet see light of day, I'll consider this Honor Project closed.